28 again

Recently, a colleague guessed my age at 28.

28!

Seriously, 28. He guessed my age at 28. I will be 45 on my next birthday in March. That puts 28 a pretty good distance in the rear view mirror of my life.

And then, a week later, a delivery man guessed my age at … yep - 28.

28!

What's my age-defying secret?

And good genetics. And I stay out of the sun. And I have a fat face, which doesn't tend to show wrinkles (thank you, cupcakes).

No one will accuse me of being vain or youth obsessed. But I am middle-aged and I am not going to pretend that it's not a compliment to be told I look younger than I am. I like it. Say it some more, please.

It's a double-edged sword as well.

I've been in my profession for more than 20 years and, personally, have been through some serious stuff, and so when I offer carefully considered advice and heartfelt counsel based on my experience and best practices - personally or professionally - I expect to be taken seriously. But those adorable dimples and batty lashes don't always convey maturity.

Plus, I'm kind of a goofball anyway, so maybe that shines through in a bigger way than I care to admit.

Still, I admit that it's fun to get carded at the liquor store (Even more fun when my husband, who is a few months younger than I am, doesn't get carded. Ever). The clerk is so just so adorable when he checks out my license and then does the math in his head and figures out how old I really am, getting all embarrassed and "Aw shucks, ma'am." I just want to adopt him … because I am old enough to be his mother.

This happens kind of frequently (especially lately) and I just laugh at it, knowing that it's fleeting, as the years and weariness will surely change that supposed number. That's okay. While it's fun to look 28, I would not want to go back in time and actually be 28 again. 

I'm a don't-look-back kind of person (which makes me a terrible scrapbooker, by the way). I always look ahead. I believe that, as blessed as my life is at this moment, my very best days are still ahead of me.

And I look forward to growing into them.

I leave you with this article: America’s favorite age? It’s 50, new poll says.

And this:

"Aging is not lost youth, but a new stage of opportunity and strength." - Betty Friedan

**PS: Please don't forget to take the holiday spending survey**